Sun Mote Copse “It never hurts to keep looking for sunshine.” —Eeyore

Once Towhee's eyes closed, she became dead to the world. When Quetzal bumbled by, poking at the gopher's remains with a childish query on her lips, the Regent didn't stir, nor did she react when she immediately ran after Meerkat.

The older pup hadn't gotten far. She stopped when her little sister drew up alongside her, their sides brushing. -"Hi, Q!"- she greeted. She'd never had any trouble telling the twins apart. -"I'm trying to spread smiles!"- was her answer to the other youngster's question. -"You wanna come with me?"- she invited, not really thinking about how the adults might not want Q wandering away from the rendezvous site.